Does this trans-Tasman bubble extend far enough?

Full marks to Scott Morrison for inviting Jacinda Ardern into the national cabinet. But we need to think beyond a bubble consisting of only Australia and New Zealand. There are several countries in southeast Asia that have also performed extremely well in combatting COVID-19. Australia and New Zealand should be inviting them into the bubble as well.

This expanded bubble could then be working on ways to help our neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines who currently need all the help they can get.

Brent Walker, Killcare, NSW

Serious consideration should be given to expanding the mooted trans-Tasman travel bubble to include most, if not all, of the Pacific island nations. What an opportunity this presents for addressing the security concerns for the region that are presently shared by Australia and New Zealand while at the same time restoring the tourist industry on which all these small island economies largely rely.

Recent reports indicate that the Cook Islands are clear of COVID-19 and, with well-directed and appropriate aid and oversight from Australia and New Zealand, other island nations could most likely achieve the same status. It would then just be a matter of ensuring they had acceptable border controls in place to include them in an expanded bubble. While the South Sea Bubble that emerged just on 300 years ago went down badly in history, a South Pacific Bubble would truly present an opportunity lost if we don’t strive to make it happen.

Peter Cockerill, Dee Why. NSW

Scott Morrison’s decision to invite the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, to take part in Australia’s national cabinet is sensible and ground-breaking. The Prime Minister understands the positive symbolism of such a move, not just for the relationship of the two countries but for the people of both nations who have been suffering under tight restrictions as the result of COVID-19.

The benefits for both countries are social as well as economic. The potential is that it can produce an outcome that rewards both nations for their achievements in restricting the spread and damage of COVID-19.

This is a golden opportunity for Ardern to be seen to be part of an economic and social boost for New Zealand, as she is facing some political headwinds in her country in the run-up to a general election. One hopes that she does not use it for grandstanding, as she has done with some matters in the past.

Tim Sauer, East Brighton VIC

One thing that has become obvious during the coronavirus crisis, as it was with the bushfire crisis, is the lack of consistency from governments. With state governments trying to claim rights over their patch of turf, it leaves little room for co-ordination and direction on a national scale. While the national cabinet approach is admirable, it should be, at best, an advisory and implementation body. In times of national emergency there is room for only one controlling entity, and that should be the federal government.

John Curnow, Rowland Flat. SA

Denis Shanahan writes that Anthony Albanese and Labor will campaign on the bushfires while Scott Morrison and the Liberals have the economy and coronavirus (“Take your seat for the big show,” 2-3/5) . That should be enough to guarantee a Coalition victory. Albanese deserves no respect if he continues with the gibberish that Morrison was responsible for the bushfires that were, after all, a state responsibility. It was because of this it took some time for the government to coalesce state and federal resources.

Not so with the coronavirus, where Morrison marshalled the nation’s resources via the national cabinet with brilliant outcomes, notwithstanding mistakes made again at state level in the early stages. Morrison’s ability to grasp an issue in the most pragmatic and effective way possible, devoid of any ideological restrictions, justifies support for the Coalition to take us through the effective demise of coronavirus and to the next stage of economic growth and recovery.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic.

Surely our Prime Minister should have invited the socialist leader of the opposition from our country before the socialist leader of another country to join the inner sanctum of the national cabinet?

John Earthrowl, Victoria Point, QLD